AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS EGYPT’S TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today said Australia has taken an active role in responding to Egypt’s transition following President Mubarak's resignation on 11 February 2011. Senator Carr said Australia committed a $21 million package to assist in this transition. “The funding is focused on food security and agricultural productivity, employment for Egyptian youth, and mine action,” Senator Carr said. “This includes spending $5 million over 4 years on a crop irrigation improvement project targeting small scale farmers in the Nile Delta. “We are also providing $6 million over 4 years on youth employment generation programs.“$6 million over 5 year will go towards agriculture research programs to improve salinity and agriculture production in the Nile Delta through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.“AusAID will also place a full-time officer in Cairo starting in January 2013 to manage Australia’s aid engagement.”AusAID will undertake a scoping mission to Egypt and Tunisia in September, to develop options for further support to the region. Additionally, Egypt also has access to both short course and long term Masters and agricultural PhD scholarships under the Australia Awards initiative.In 2012 Egypt received 30 awards, including 3 Masters Awards in agriculture, and 27 short course awards in agriculture and technical vocational education and training.In 2013 Egypt will receive 4 Masters Awards in agriculture and in water and sanitation. Senator Carr was in Egypt between 4-7 September.